Two-year-old Charles Short “departed this life”, November 8th, in the year 1843. He resided with his family in the Northern Liberties neighborhood of the city. His home would have been near present-day 7th Street and Fairmount Avenue. The cause of Charles death was reportedly from “Inward Fits.” Also known at the time as “Spasmodic Croup.” The majority of the child inflicted with this disease did not die. However, when it did prove to be fatal it was from the child dying from suffocation due to the severity of the “fit” or spasm of the muscles in the throat. It is often seen as an early symptom of Hydrocephalus.
Bethel Burying Ground Project 